Goa's complex recent four-decade old media history subject of new book PANJIM: Goa got Asia's first Western-style printing press four-and-half centuries ago, but an English-language daily newspaper began here only after the end of Portuguese rule here in 1963.
Goa's latest English-language daily is the 'Times of India', which started its Goa edition only earlier this year, 2008. It was greeted by some critical responses both by rival newspapers, and those concerned over what implications this move would have on the media scenario here. These facts and many opinions emerge from a just-published book that looks at the history of the post-Liberation newspaper scenario in the country's smallest State, but one which has had an active and colourful media history. Titled 'In Black and White: Insiders Stories About The Press In Goa', the book covers the period from the launch of The Navhind Times, in 1963, till recent months. "You can't be neutral about the media. Many are critical of it, some distrust it, and almost all are influenced by it. But why do newspapers in Goa behave the way they do?" asks the book. Its text includes colourful -- if highly personalised -- stories of those who saw the media from the frontlines. In it, one comes across how the first assembly elections of 1963 was covered by the then lone English-language daily The Navhind Times, the often-unknown role that dominant media voices have played, and challenges facing attempts to build alternatives in the English-language and Konkani sections of the media. Special focus goes to the impact of the Herald (formerly O Heraldo). In 1983, it switched over from being the last Portuguese daily to be published in Asia, to an English-language newspaper now established in Goa. Journalists themselves explain the travails of covering rural Goa. Newbies talk of their experiences. Incidentally, newer media options opened up in the late Eighties and early Nineties. But since then, few more options opened up (for English-language journalists), excepting the Times of India, which suddenly made journalists a sought-offer comodity and hiked salaries to unprecedented levels. Outstation journos have their own take on the media scene here. Two essays cover Konkani journalism (both Roman-script and Devanagari), making bold and contentious points. And did you know what goes into police-reporting, as we know it in Goa? This book also looks at papers which were started and didn't continue in operation -- like the West Coast Times, the Novem Goem (in Konkani). It refers to the crop of Portuguese newspapers which didn't survive the post-1961 changes. A 13-page elaborate index gives a hint of the many publications, personalities and issues that have been connected with the media here, in the English-language, Konkani and Marathi. Former editor of the 'Ixtt' weekly from Pilar, Fr Peter Raposo sfx makes a case for publications in Romi Konkani, and suggests that this script and dialect is precariously posed. It urgently needs resuscitation to ensure that it continues in existance. Devanagari Konkani journalism in Goa is also critically analysed by former Sunaparant editor Raju Nayak, in the book which is edited by journalist Frederick Noronha. In all, it has some 22 chapters contributed by 20 different journalists. Journalist-turned-Margao mayor Valmiki Faleiro, now back to serious writing, contributes two chapters. These describe the situation in the 1970s and 1980s, when attempts were underway to promote media diversity in the State. Former Gomantak Times news editor, Elston Soares, narrates how that newspaper was launched, some 20 years ago, amidst challenging times, from the Sant Inez locality of state-capital Panjim. Other contributors to this 216-page book (available at Broadway's, Panjim or via [EMAIL PROTECTED]) include Canada-based journo and novelist Ben Antao, Gulf and Canada-based Eugene Correia, Paul J Fernandes, and journalist R. K. Nair. This book is priced at Rs 195 (in India) and a special offer is available for bulk purchases of five or more copies. It is co-published by Broadway Book Centre and alternative publisher Goa1556. Also other contributors are Melvyn Misquita of Herald, Daryl Pereira (now in the UK), Gulf-based Vishvas Paul D Karra, editor Derek Almeida, journalist-author Tony Martin, horticulturist-writer Miguel Braganza, Shiv Kumar (Mumbai), business journo Rahul Goswami, veteran sports writer Cyril D'Cunha, entrepreneur-publisher Niraj Naik, metro editor Raju Nayak, and investigative scribe Mayabhushan Nagvenkar. Illustrations are by Gulf-based Goan artist, Felix Martyris. ENDS